With all the similarities between the Weedsport and Watertown IHC football teams, the pressure that comes with playing in a Section III, Class D semifinal and the week-long buildup, the game itself may just come down to shoes.
Chet Susslin / The Citizen
Weedsport senior Abe Jordan runs a quarterback sneak against Sandy Creek in the Section III, Class D quarterfinals Oct. 23.
Weedsport senior Abe Jordan runs a quarterback sneak against Sandy Creek in the Section III, Class D quarterfinals Oct. 23.
Both the Cavaliers and Warriors have played on grass fields during their respective seasons, but will play on turf at Paul V. Moore High School in Central Square tonight.
“It's not field turf, it's astro turf,” Weedsport head coach Greg Michaels said. “We have to find the right shoes - the spikes can't be very short and we can't use the screw-in spikes. I've heard a bunch of different things, so we might bring a few types of shoes to see which ones work best for us.”
Though the team will prepare by practicing on Skaneateles' new turf field this week, Weedsport hopes that playing on carpet will be the only unfamiliarity in the game.
After Hannibal scored quickly in the first half of the first game of the season, Weedsport hasn't played from behind in any game all year.
Michaels, however, doesn't think his team will panic if Watertown IHC is able to build a lead.
“We responded well to Hannibal at the end of that half,” he said. “I think from what I've seen of them, I don't think we'll panic if it happens, but we'll never know until we're in that situation.”
Weedsport responded to Hannibal's lead by beating them 40-12, the first of Weedsport's eight straight victories.
The Warriors have embarked on their undefeated season by racking up 335 points and allowing just 105.
They scored 34 points in each playoff win over Pulaski and Sandy Creek and have not allowed more than 22 points in any game - and those points were given up to Sandy Creek in the quarterfinals round.
But Watertown IHC's resume is just as impressive. The Cavaliers have allowed just 65 points - 24 of which came in their lone loss to Class B powerhouse General Brown. They primarily use a three-pronged attack on offense, featuring four-year starting quarterback Tom Burgess (533 yards rushing, 860 yards passing, 18 touchdowns), running back Kyle Hauk (757 yards, nine touchdowns) and wide receiver Andrew Hauk (408 yards, seven touchdowns).
Brian Quigley is the Warriors' top weapon. He had 1,342 yards and 19 touchdowns on the season. After him, the offense has been spread out, with Austin Ashby (seven touchdowns), Matt Seager (seven touchdowns), Abe Jordan (eight touchdowns) and Justin Rose (six touchdowns) coming up big.
The teams are nearly even in the polls as well, with Weedsport ranked eighth in Class D in the state, with Watertown IHC ninth.
On paper, the Cavaliers are similar to the Warriors - an aggressive defense, a running quarterback and some different looks on offense. Port Byron gave both teams a fight this season, losing last week in the quarterfinals to the Cavaliers.
“It's going to be a tough battle,” said Panthers head coach Chris Kudla. “They're both pretty good teams, with pretty good offensive lines and very athletic teams. Weedsport's line is extremely physical and IHC is a quick and physical time. It's going to come down to penalties, turnovers and a few close calls.”
The Warriors are going into the semifinals relatively healthy - and positive - after a couple physical postseason wins.
“We're pretty enthusiastic with where we're at,” Michaels said. “They're ready to play and not at all intimidated.”
Before this season, Watertown IHC and Weedsport were Class D rivals - the Warriors haven't beaten the Cavaliers since 2006. Ironically, the two meet once again, despite Weedsport shifting to Class D West and Watertown IHC to Class D North. Both are top seeds in their newly-formed divisions - Watertown defeated Onondaga and edged Port Byron in the first two rounds while Weedsport topped Pulaski and Sandy Creek.
Both teams have a postseason history as well. In 2005, Watertown IHC beat Weedsport 14-8 in the Section III semifinals, at Central Square, no less, and the Cavaliers went on to win the sectional championship.
Though first-year Warriors head coach Michaels isn't familiar with the storied history between the two teams, it won't matter much, since the game will not hinge on the past.
“The last couple of games, we started out well and persevered,” he said. “This time of year, everyone is equal and everyone needs to be mentally prepared.”
“It's not field turf, it's astro turf,” Weedsport head coach Greg Michaels said. “We have to find the right shoes - the spikes can't be very short and we can't use the screw-in spikes. I've heard a bunch of different things, so we might bring a few types of shoes to see which ones work best for us.”
Though the team will prepare by practicing on Skaneateles' new turf field this week, Weedsport hopes that playing on carpet will be the only unfamiliarity in the game.
After Hannibal scored quickly in the first half of the first game of the season, Weedsport hasn't played from behind in any game all year.
Michaels, however, doesn't think his team will panic if Watertown IHC is able to build a lead.
“We responded well to Hannibal at the end of that half,” he said. “I think from what I've seen of them, I don't think we'll panic if it happens, but we'll never know until we're in that situation.”
Weedsport responded to Hannibal's lead by beating them 40-12, the first of Weedsport's eight straight victories.
The Warriors have embarked on their undefeated season by racking up 335 points and allowing just 105.
They scored 34 points in each playoff win over Pulaski and Sandy Creek and have not allowed more than 22 points in any game - and those points were given up to Sandy Creek in the quarterfinals round.
But Watertown IHC's resume is just as impressive. The Cavaliers have allowed just 65 points - 24 of which came in their lone loss to Class B powerhouse General Brown. They primarily use a three-pronged attack on offense, featuring four-year starting quarterback Tom Burgess (533 yards rushing, 860 yards passing, 18 touchdowns), running back Kyle Hauk (757 yards, nine touchdowns) and wide receiver Andrew Hauk (408 yards, seven touchdowns).
Brian Quigley is the Warriors' top weapon. He had 1,342 yards and 19 touchdowns on the season. After him, the offense has been spread out, with Austin Ashby (seven touchdowns), Matt Seager (seven touchdowns), Abe Jordan (eight touchdowns) and Justin Rose (six touchdowns) coming up big.
The teams are nearly even in the polls as well, with Weedsport ranked eighth in Class D in the state, with Watertown IHC ninth.
On paper, the Cavaliers are similar to the Warriors - an aggressive defense, a running quarterback and some different looks on offense. Port Byron gave both teams a fight this season, losing last week in the quarterfinals to the Cavaliers.
“It's going to be a tough battle,” said Panthers head coach Chris Kudla. “They're both pretty good teams, with pretty good offensive lines and very athletic teams. Weedsport's line is extremely physical and IHC is a quick and physical time. It's going to come down to penalties, turnovers and a few close calls.”
The Warriors are going into the semifinals relatively healthy - and positive - after a couple physical postseason wins.
“We're pretty enthusiastic with where we're at,” Michaels said. “They're ready to play and not at all intimidated.”
Before this season, Watertown IHC and Weedsport were Class D rivals - the Warriors haven't beaten the Cavaliers since 2006. Ironically, the two meet once again, despite Weedsport shifting to Class D West and Watertown IHC to Class D North. Both are top seeds in their newly-formed divisions - Watertown defeated Onondaga and edged Port Byron in the first two rounds while Weedsport topped Pulaski and Sandy Creek.
Both teams have a postseason history as well. In 2005, Watertown IHC beat Weedsport 14-8 in the Section III semifinals, at Central Square, no less, and the Cavaliers went on to win the sectional championship.
Though first-year Warriors head coach Michaels isn't familiar with the storied history between the two teams, it won't matter much, since the game will not hinge on the past.
“The last couple of games, we started out well and persevered,” he said. “This time of year, everyone is equal and everyone needs to be mentally prepared.”
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